[[Rika Matsumoto]] (Japanese)}}'''Ash Ketchum '''(Japanese: '''サトシ''' ''Satoshi'') is the main protagonist of the Pokémon anime series who has always dreamed of becoming a [[Pokémon Master]] and as soon as he hit the age of ten, he rushed to [[Professor Oak]]'s Laboratory to get his first [[Pokémon]]. He's the first character to be introduced in the series. Originally wanting to choose Squirtle, Ash ended up getting the Pokémon [[Pikachu]], and left on his journey. At first, Pikachu did not listen to Ash and kept running away, so Ash had to tie him up. Then after getting chased by a flock of [[Spearow]], Ash attempted to save Pikachu from them; Pikachu, after seeing Ash so determined to help him, protected Ash from the Spearow. From then on, Pikachu and Ash became best friends for life. His love song, ''Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree'', is a much popular song, including he has a crush on the girls in the song. As a completely unskilled trainer, Ash started his adventure; while meeting his friends [[Misty (anime)|Misty]] and [[Brock (anime)|Brock]] and capturing new Pokémon. Ash eventually defeated all the Gym Leaders in [[Kanto]], allowing him to enter in the [[Pokémon League]]. Since then, he has continued to travel, make new friends such as [[Tracey]], [[May (anime)|May]], [[Max]] and [[Dawn]]; challenging all Gym Leaders and capturing new Pokémon, while still following his goal of becoming a Pokémon Master. Since this goal is so close to his heart, he sometimes acts a bit rash and rushes to the next battle he can as fast as possible. Ash is currently travelling in the [[Unova]] region, with his new friends: [[Iris (anime)|Iris]] and [[Cilan (anime)|Cilan]]. Ash's name in the Japanese version of the anime is Satoshi, which is also the name of the creator of Pokémon. It is unknown who Ash's father is; but, according to 'Pokémon Live!', it is stated that his mother dated Giovanni and was in his gang, but took a better route in life when she met Ash's father..

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[[Rika Matsumoto]] (Japanese)}}'''Ash Ketchum '''(Japanese: '''サトシ''' ''Satoshi'') is the main protagonist of the Pokémon anime series who has always dreamed of becoming a [[Pokémon Master]] and as soon as he hit the age of ten, he rushed to [[Professor Oak]]'s Laboratory to get his first [[Pokémon]]. He's the first character to be introduced in the series. Originally wanting to choose Squirtle, Ash ended up getting the Pokémon [[Pikachu]], and left on his journey. At first, Pikachu did not listen to Ash and kept running away, so Ash had to tie him up. Then after getting chased by a flock of [[Spearow]], Ash attempted to save Pikachu from them; Pikachu, after seeing Ash so determined to help him, protected Ash from the Spearow. From then on, Pikachu and Ash became best friends for life. As a completely unskilled trainer, Ash started his adventure; while meeting his friends [[Misty (anime)|Misty]] and [[Brock (anime)|Brock]] and capturing new Pokémon. Ash eventually defeated all the Gym Leaders in [[Kanto]], allowing him to enter in the [[Pokémon League]]. Since then, he has continued to travel, make new friends such as [[Tracey]], [[May (anime)|May]], [[Max]] and [[Dawn]]; challenging all Gym Leaders and capturing new Pokémon, while still following his goal of becoming a Pokémon Master. Since this goal is so close to his heart, he sometimes acts a bit rash and rushes to the next battle he can as fast as possible. Ash is currently travelling in the [[Unova]] region, with his new friends: [[Iris (anime)|Iris]] and [[Cilan (anime)|Cilan]]. Ash's name in the Japanese version of the anime is Satoshi, which is also the name of the creator of Pokémon. It is unknown who Ash's father is; but, according to 'Pokémon Live!', it is stated that his mother dated Giovanni and was in his gang, but took a better route in life when she met Ash's father..

Ash Ketchum (Japanese: サトシSatoshi) is the main protagonist of the Pokémon anime series who has always dreamed of becoming a Pokémon Master and as soon as he hit the age of ten, he rushed to Professor Oak's Laboratory to get his first Pokémon. He's the first character to be introduced in the series. Originally wanting to choose Squirtle, Ash ended up getting the Pokémon Pikachu, and left on his journey. At first, Pikachu did not listen to Ash and kept running away, so Ash had to tie him up. Then after getting chased by a flock of Spearow, Ash attempted to save Pikachu from them; Pikachu, after seeing Ash so determined to help him, protected Ash from the Spearow. From then on, Pikachu and Ash became best friends for life. As a completely unskilled trainer, Ash started his adventure; while meeting his friends Misty and Brock and capturing new Pokémon. Ash eventually defeated all the Gym Leaders in Kanto, allowing him to enter in the Pokémon League. Since then, he has continued to travel, make new friends such as Tracey, May, Max and Dawn; challenging all Gym Leaders and capturing new Pokémon, while still following his goal of becoming a Pokémon Master. Since this goal is so close to his heart, he sometimes acts a bit rash and rushes to the next battle he can as fast as possible. Ash is currently travelling in the Unova region, with his new friends: Iris and Cilan. Ash's name in the Japanese version of the anime is Satoshi, which is also the name of the creator of Pokémon. It is unknown who Ash's father is; but, according to 'Pokémon Live!', it is stated that his mother dated Giovanni and was in his gang, but took a better route in life when she met Ash's father..

Contents

Plot Overview

Ash starts his Pokémon journey because he has just turned ten years old. However, he overslept

Though they have just met Ash and Pikachu have a close bond.

and when he got to the Professor's Lab, there were no more starter Pokémon left; but the Professor has one Pokémon left, but he says that the Pokémon isn't very friendly and he releases Pikachu. Pikachu dislikes Ash straight away and shocks him with its Thundershock attack. This marks the starting of his journey with Pikachu. Later Pikachu starts to trust Ash; Ash, upon challenging various Gyms, started finding travelling companions, such as Brock and Misty. On his journey he regularly encounters the wacky trio Jessie, James and Meowth of Team Rocket, who keep attempting to steal Pikachu. He finished in the Top 16 in the Indigo League Competition. During his journey he participated in a Pokémon race, was involved in a movie, got sucked into cyberspace and helped with the Moltres flame. Before heading to the Orange Islands, he picked up the GS ball from Professor Ivy and said goodbye to Brock.

File:Lapras&Ash.JPG During this time, Ash was sent to Orange Islands by Professor Oak on an errand to retrieve the mysterious GS Ball as the transporter cannot send it to Oak's lab; Ash found out that there were gyms in the Orange Island and decided to challenge them, winning a trophy for beating the leaders of the gyms. Brock left to be with Professor Ivy, then they met a new travelling companion named Tracey. Ash befriends and catches many other Pokémon as well. He also battles the Orange Crew, whose style of battling is much different than what Ash is used to. Eventually he battled Drake and became the next Orange League Champion. Upon his return to Professor Oak's lab with the GS ball, Ash found Oak could not open it as well and was asked to deliver it to his associate Kurt in Azalea Town in the Johto region, where there are also gyms for the Johto League. Brock returned and Tracey left to help Oak with caring for the Pokemon at his lab. After he returned Team Rocket tries to catch Pikachu again, and is later saved by Gary.

Ash heard that there was a region called Johto and went there to find and catch new Pokémon that wasn't seen in the Kanto region and he battled the Gym Leaders there. He also caught the first three starter Pokémon of the Johto region just like in the Kanto region. Brock joined again and left Professor Ivy for unknown reasons and Tracey was left at Professor Oak's Lab. During this season, Ash won two badges for the Johto League, by facing Falkner of the Violet Gym and Bugsy of the Azalea Town Gym. He also catches a shiny Noctowl, had another battle with Misty, and had to say goodbye to his Charizard as he left it at the Charicific Valley so it could become stronger.

Ash won three more badges, but was delayed from having his sixth gym battle as the gym leader was preoccupied with caring for an ill electric Pokemon that fuelled the lighthouse's power. Determined to get his gym battle, Ash travelled over to Cianwood City to get the medicine needed for the Pokémon. Along the way he meets Whitney, Morty, Jasmine and Chuck. along with some new friends like Sakura, an aspiring trainer and one of the 5 Kimono sisters and reunites with Casey whose Chikorita evolves into Bayleef. At the end, Ash and co. head to the Whirl Islands.

During this season he has finally collected the remaining three badges for entering the Johto League by beating Jasmine, Pryce and Clair. He also meets Lance and stopped Team Rocket's latest scheme from Lake of Rage and brought a Larvitar back to its mother. He fought his best and then fought Harrison with a Blaziken in the Hoenn region, he released his Charizard to battle. Blaziken and Charizard fought fiercely but Ash lost. Then he decided to go to the Hoenn region but sadly both of his travelling companions have to go back and will not be traveling with him to the Hoenn region. He has reached 8th place in the Johto League.

Deciding to start another new journey, Ash was given new clothes by his mom and set out to travel to the Hoenn region, where he met two new friends that became his travelling companions - May, a beginner trainer who just started her journey and has no clue what she's doing, and Max, her little brother who has an extensive knowledge of Pokémon that far exceeds his years. Brock also returned, stating that he finished with his errands at home. Ash also left all of his Pokémon at home so that he can start a new challenge for himself, but he didn't leave his first Pokémon: Pikachu. Ash managed to win three badges by the end of the season: One from Roxanne of the Rustburo Gym, One from a rematch with Brawly from the Dewford Gym and one from Wattson of the Mauville Gym.

Ash finally challenged Gym Battles but is held up by May because May decided to be a Pokémon Coordinator. Now both of them are on their way to the challenges up ahead of them. It is also there that Ash encounters both Team Magma and Team Aqua, two villainous crime syndicates occupying the Hoenn region. Ash also won the Heat Badge, from Flannery, the Balance Badge from Norman (who happens to be May and Max's father) and a feather badge from Winona.

Before winning his final badges, Ash became caught in a fight between Team Aqua and Team Magma as they unleashed the legendary PokemonGroudon and Kyogre to reshape the world. However, thanks to Pikachu's connection with Groundon, both teams were stopped and the legendary Pokemon returned to rest. After that, he beat the terrific twosome Liza and Tate for the Mind Badge and Grand Festival winner Juan for the Rain Badge. Now entering the Hoenn League, Ash battles with all he has after he obtained all of the badges in the Hoenn region. He meets rivals, Morrison and Tyson. He fought against Tyson in the Hoenn League but lost. He has come to the 8th place in the Hoenn League. May also meets a new rival by the name of Harley who hates her guts for some reason. He returns to Kanto with Brock, May, and Max and is invited to take part in challenging the Battle Frontier leaders for their symbols, having already beaten Noland for the Knowledge Symbol.

Ash battles all of the Frontier Brains, although he has a hard time battling the last Frontier Brain, but in the end, he won and collected all the symbols. He is even offered the chance to become a new Frontier Brain when one of them retires. However, Ash declines and soon learns of a new region filled with new Pokémon. May and Max depart and so does Brock.

Along the way, he meets yet another new travelling companion, Dawn (who was interested in entering Super Contests). He also receives new clothes from his mother in the mail and gains yet another new rival in a trainer named Paul. Ash was rather shocked to run into Brock yet again after saying he was returning home, but welcomed his old friend on their new journeys once again. Later in the season, Ash misses meeting Team Galactic due to moving on with his journey too soon. He won a Coal Badge from Roark and a Forest Badge from Gardenia. Also, Ash encountered Pokemon Hunter J who temporarily managed to kidnap Pikachu. He also caught a Starly which evolved into Staravia, a Turtwig, and he adopted Paul's Chimchar by the end of the season.

In this season, Ash continued battling and earning badges, while Dawn continues to earn contest ribbons, they also see Team Galactic and try to stop them from committing crimes. During this time, Ash earns up to his fifth Gym Badge. Most of the season, Ash had to wait for Gym Leader Fantina to return to her Gym in order to challenge her. Ash reunited with May during the Wallace Cup and took part as a coordinator once again (per Wallace's request). He also saw the spirit of Azelf rise out of the lake the contest was being held at. He tied with Maylene but earned a Cobble Badge from her, he won against Crasher Wake and beat Fantina for the Fen and Relic Badges. He also met Barry, his newest rival. He traded his Aipom for Dawn's Buizel, his Turtwig evolved into Grotle, and he caught a Gligar which evolved into Gliscor.

The lake trio, with their hearts connected to humans, Mespirit with Dawn, Azelf with Ash and Uxie with Brock.

Continuing his journey in Sinnoh, Ash managed to beat Byron, winning the Mine Badge and Candice winning the Icicle Badge. Along the trip to Sunyshore City, Ash and his friends encounter International Policeman Looker and were recruited to help stop the plans of Team Galactic as the three of them were chosen to share a bond with the three Lake Spirit Pokémon. During which Brock managed to find Uxie. Managing to find Team Galactic in the middle of creating a new universe with the captive Lake Trio controlling Palkia and Dialga, each freed the trio and Team Galactic was arrested while their leader vanished into the collapsing new world, causing the disbanding of Team Galactic. At the end of the season, Ash caught himself a Gible which was learning Draco Meteor.

After the Team Galactic incident, Ash is entering the Sinnoh League, by beating Volkner and earning the Beacon Badge. He also reunited with Jasmine from the Olivine Gym before heading to Lily-of-the-Valley. This may be the hardest and intense league he ever joined as he has many rivals to compete with and also there is a mysterious trainer who joined with a legendary Pokémon: Darkrai. He battled against most of his rivals except for Barry, who battled Paul and lost,

Ash, Pikachu, Brock, Dawn and Piplup in the 13th Season.

so Ash's next match was against Paul, the battle was intense as Paul showed Pokémon that he doesn't normally use and until the fight was only Electivire and Infernape but Ash won with Infernape's ability, Blaze. Though he faced an opponent that was hard to defeat, it is none other than the trainer with a Darkrai: Tobias. He was able to defeat Tobias' Darkrai but got a draw with Tobias' Latios. However, as Ash had no Pokémon left, he was defeated. He reached the top four in the Sinnoh League, and many people are amazed because he was the only trainer who battled against Tobias and at least defeated his Darkrai because no one was able to do so. Then afterwards he heads back home. Ash bid farewell to Dawn as she wished to continue entering contests and for the last time Brock, who now wishes to become a Pokémon doctor.

At home in Pallet Town, Ash received new clothes and was invited along with his mother by Professor Oak to take a trip to the far away Unova Region for a scientific expedition. Upon arrival, Team Rocket (now serious and less goofy) once again tried to capture Pikachu. However, the legendary Pokemon Zekrom caused a storm that scared them away and temporarily knocked Pikachu out. Arriving at Professor Juniper's

Ash and Pikachu during the Don Battle Tournament

lab, Ash encountered a new rival named Trip (who won a battle against Pikachu as Zekrom temporarily kept Pikachu from using Electric attacks) and decided to go out on a new quest to win the Unova league. After leaving for his new journey, Ash met Iris and began travelling with her. Along the way he adopted an Oshawott that belonged to Professor Juniper and a Tepig from a Trainer who didn't want it any more. After winning his first Gym battle, Ash gained yet another new travelling companion in Cilan (one of the three optional Gym Leaders). He also caught a very strong Snivy, which acts like the mother of his team. He has won the Trio Badge, Basic Badge and Insect Badge. As the season continues, he gets a mysterious egg and similar to the Kanto and Johto series, he also gets all of the starter Pokémon in there; unlike Hoenn and Sinnoh, in which he only got a Treecko in Hoenn, and a Turtwig and Chimchar in Sinnoh.

Continuing on his Journey through Unova with Iris and Cilan, after they stopped Team Rocket from stealing Pokémon from the Nimbasa Pokémon Center, Ash and co. meet up with Bianca and meet the Gym Leader Elesa and meet Bianca's father. After he allowed both his daughter and Ash to continue their respective journeys, Ash battles Elesa and wins the Bolt Badge. Then he has the honor of meeting Alder, the champion of the Unova League. He also saved Unova from being torn apart by Tornadus, Thundurus by summoning Landorus and he had a Gym Battle with Clay after getting him some Revival Herbs. During the battle Ash's Roggenrola evolved into a Boldore and Ash won earning him the Quake Badge. After that, he helped Bianca with her newly evolved Escavailer and met Cedric Juniper. Next, he manages to catch the Krokorok that followed him as a part of his team. Finally, he had a Gym battle with Skyla. During which, his Tranquill evolved into Unfezant and managed to beat her, winning the Jet Badge fair and square. He participated in a race to the top of Celestial Tower and came in a close second losing to Stephan. He participated in the Donamite tournament and ranked Semi-finalist. He also confronted Tepig's original trainer, Suwama, during which Tepig evolved into Pignite. He also had to endure a harsh training session from Brycen, which paid off as he won the Freeze Badge. His plans to go to Opelucid City were on hold as he found out the Gym was closed and had to go to Virbank City. There he battled Roxie and won his final badge, the Toxic Badge.

Pokémon

Ash currently has six Pokémon with him since his capture of Sewaddle. Any additional Pokémon he catches will be transferred and looked after by Professor Juniper. The first Pokémon sent was his Tranquill but later he traded it in for Swadloon. Later Ash rotates his Pokémon.

In Rotation

Pokémon

Information

Ash was given Pikachu by Professor Oak as the original Kanto starter Pokemon had been taken. Originally, Pikachu would not listen to Ash and constantly shocked him. However, after accidentally angering a flock of Spearow, Pikachu had a change of heart when it saw Ash defend him. Since then, Pikachu has assisted and been very successful in many of Ash's wins and over time has adopted Ash's mannerisms. Pikachu does not want to be in its Poké Ball so it stays out all the time, often riding on Ash's shoulder or head.

Unfezant was captured as a Pidove in Enter Iris and Axew. It was then sent out to battle Jessie's Woobat, but lost easily. It's only major battle since then was against a wild Snivy, where it was confirmed to be female after Snivy's Attract failed to effect it. Eventually, Pidove weakened Snivy enough for Ash to catch it. In BW018, Ash sent Pidove to Juniper's to make room for his Sewaddle, but brought it back in BW021. In BW022, it evolved into a Tranquill after clearing out a swarm of Venipede from Castelia City. It was currently in Ash's Party but she went back to the lab in BW035. It came back in BW037. It evolved again in BW070 and managed to beat Skyla.

Oshawott was one of the starters in Unova who Professor Juniper was giving away. However, after Ash left, Oshawott started following Ash and even defended him against Team Rocket. Professor Juniper gave Ash the Poké Ball for Oshawott which Ash used to obtain Oshawott. Oshawott is very affectionate towards Ash and even tries to knock Pikachu off of Ash's shoulder. It has many powerful attacks including Water Gun and Razor Shell, allowing it to be a prominent member of Ash's team. Similar to Bayleef, Oshawott is jealous of Pikachu's bond with Ash and even sometimes pops out of its Poké Ball to show its worth. In BW027, Oshawott develops a crush on Iris' Emolga.

Ash found Tepig when he was at the Battle Club in Accumula Town when he saw it escape from the Battle Club's warehouse. When he found it, he saw its mouth had been tied by its past trainer who left it at the Battle Club after it lost to a Deerling, making it unable to eat and so Ash helped free it and created a bond with it. It has powerful fire attacks such as Ember and is bound to be a prime member of Ash's Unova team, but at the moment it seems to lack confidence in its strength. It later confronted its original trainer and evolved with new-found strength, confidence and resolve.

Ash found Snivy when he was in a forest heading towards Nacrene City. Snivy is a female Pokémon and knows the move Attract which it used to stop the opponent Pokémon in their tracks. Ash encountered it after it had taken some of Cilan's food. To stop it, Ash decided he needed to capture it It also has powerful grass attacks such as Leaf Blade, Vine Whip and Leaf Storm. In addition to that, it has been shown to be very agile and able to evade attacks expertly. Snivy seems to be stronger, confident, and skilled compared to the other Pokémon Ash has caught in Unova. Trip even said that Snivy was a strong Pokémon, enough to defeat his Servine, Snivy's evolved form.

After receiving an egg from the Day Care in Route 3, the egg eventually hatched into Scraggy. However, Scraggy is a bit of a violent Pokémon, attacking Ash, Iris & Cilan's other Pokémon at will. Scraggy is a very angry Pokémon, but unfortunately its attacks, such as Headbutt, are not strong. However, despite this, it is continually trying to improve its Headbutt attack. It went back to the lab in BW037. It later learned to use Hi Jump Kick from a Scrafty in BW045.

Leavanny is a Pokémon Ash caught as a Sewaddle while he was travelling through Pinwheel Forest as Ash was interested in Sewaddle. Sewaddle was the sixth Pokémon Ash caught in the Unova region. Sewaddle and Tranquil are being switched from Ash's team and with Professor Juniper. It evolved into a Swadloon in BW025 during a battle with Burgh's Whirlipede. Swadloon went to Professor Juniper in BW032 and returned back in BW035. It returned to the lab in BW037. In BW076, Swadloon evolved into a Leavanny during a battle against Iris's Emolga and as a result started to make clothes and headgears out of leaves for Pikachu and the other Pokemon, which they like.

Ash caught Roggenrola in BW037 after he helped it to save a group of some other Roggenrola from Team Rocket. After an intense battle with Ash's Tepig, Ash captured it. Roggenrola evolved into Boldore while fighting Clay's Excadrill. Boldore is shown to be very resourceful, like using Sandstorm to put out a fire.

Krokorok was a Pokémon that appeared in several episodes in the anime. It was a Sandile in BW003 and BW012 until it evolved into Krokorok in BW020 while battling Ash's Pikachu until it blasted off into the sky after getting defeated in both BW012 and BW020. It was set to reappear in BW023. It reappeared in the end of BW066, and officially joined Ash's team in the episode after that. It evolved into Krookodile in BW094. It's known moves are Bite, Dig, Stone Edge and recently Dragon Claw Made himself as a powerhouse Pokémon in ash team.

With Professor Oak

Pokémon

Information

Bulbasaur was the third Pokémon Ash caught. It had been protecting a village of Pokémon that were recovering from illnesses. Since then it became a vital part of Ash's team and won many gym and league battles for Ash. Bulbasaur has been given the choice to evolve but decided to stay at its base form. Long into his journey with Ash, Bulbasaur was called upon to stop feuds between the Pokémon in Oak's Lab and has continued to do so. It also appears to have a budding romance with May's Bulbasaur.

It was Ash's seventh Pokémon in Kanto. Evolving in its first ever battle in the Indigo League, Kingler is a good strong Pokémon that Ash has fallen back on in both the Indigo and Johto leagues. However it has not seen much experience outside of those leagues.

Captured after taking over a Power Plant, Muk was immediately sent to Professor Oak's Laboratory. While being there it grew incredibly affectionate and is known to hug Professor Oak on many occasions. However, past this affectionate yet slimy exterior, Muk has been used in several League battles and manages to hold its ground.

When he was in the Safari Zone, Ash managed to capture thirty Tauros, all of which reside at Oak's Laboratory. However Ash has used one of the Tauros on several occasions in Leagues and Frontier battles.

Captured in the Orange Islands when stealing all the fruit from a small Island range, Snorlax has become a major powerhouse of Ash's, when it is awake that is. Due to its massive feeding requirements, Ash felt it better to stay at Professor Oak's, however it is still used for a number of Gym, League & Frontier battles. Also, Snorlax had defeated a Medicham, even at a Fighting disadvantage.

Heracross was the first Pokémon that Ash captured in Johto. It loves tree sap and has been known to suck the pollen out of Bulbasaur's Bulb on several occasions. It is a powerful Pokémon of Ash's and has been used in several Gym, League, Frontier battles and even the Sinnoh Pokémon League.

After evolving from Chikorita, Bayleef kept it's longing feelings for Ash which did end up getting it in trouble on several occasions. However after getting used to its size, it managed to become a vital part of Ash's team and helped win many Gym & League battles. Ash left it at Oak's when he decided to make a fresh start when he left for Hoenn.

While training for the Sinnoh League, Ash brought his Cyndaquil with many of his other Pokémon. However, Team Rocket tried to cause problems and Cyndaquil evolved in order to stop them. Quilava has numerous powerful attacks such as Flame Wheel at its disposal, showing that it has completely overcome its previous hindrances in its base form and is sure to be a powerful Pokémon within Ash's team.

Totodile was captured by Ash using his Lure Ball. Since Misty also wanted it, they decided to battle in order to determine who's it was. Ash won. Totodile has a quirky personality and really likes to dance. It has even been known to use this dancing tactic to help win battles. Ash left it at Oak's when he decided to make a fresh start when he left for Hoenn.

Noctowl is an incredibly rare Pokémon of Ash. It is a 'Shiny' Pokémon which glitters as it comes out of its Poké Ball into battle. Due to its psychic abilities, it has been used many times to find and battle Ghost Pokémon as well as the usual flying requirements that Ash utilizes. Ash left it at Oak's when he decided to make a fresh start when he left for Hoenn.

After rejoining Ash's team as a Phanpy, it evolved to help free Pikachu from Team Rocket. However even after the evolution it kept its playful personality from being a Phanpy which sometimes can cause mayhem with other younger Pokémon. Ever since it evolved, it has become a powerhouse in Ash's team winning many Frontier Battles. It now resides back in Oak's Lab during Ash's journey to Sinnoh.

After evolving during a Pokémon Ring Contest, Swellow has partaken in many of Ash's battles in Gyms and Leagues and has got a good amount of wins under its wing. Swellow was left at Oak's Lab when Ash left for his journey to Sinnoh. But Ash used Swellow, one more time, in the Sinnoh League.

After evolving from Grovyle to defend it's love interest, it lost all ability to use attacks. Eventually regaining the ability to use the attacks, Sceptile became a vital powerhouse in Ash's team which can hold its own against legendary Pokémon including Deoxys, Regirock, and Darkrai. Despite being Ash's massive powerhouse, Ash decided to leave Sceptile at Oak's Lab while he travelled to Sinnoh. Sceptile was used again against a Darkrai in the Sinnoh Pokémon League.

Corphish was captured while terrorizing Dewford Island and its inhabitants. However once caught Corphish managed to tame it's terrorizing attitude and become a vitally used member of Ash's team. However whenever one of Ash's Pokémon evolves or gets a bit more attention, Corphish does get the tendency to get a bit jealous. After its tenure with Ash through Hoenn and the Battle Frontier, Corphish was left at Oak's Lab.

Torkoal was found under attack by a bunch of Steel Pokémon in the valley. When Ash arrived to rescue it, it ran off but eventually followed Ash's instructions and defeated the Steel Pokémon. It is an emotional Pokémon which has been known to burst into tears when happy. Torkoal hasn't been in many gym battles but is used in standard battles on many occasions and proves it's strength in those battles. After the Hoenn League, Ash decided to give it some time off at Oak's Laboratory.

Glalie was newly evolved when Ash entered the Hoenn League. Convinced of its power Ash used it in a number of battles where it managed to hold its own successfully. After the league was over he decided to give it a break at Oak's Laboratory.

Ash's Staraptor evolved from Staravia during a PokéRinger contest against Paul's Honchkrow. As it has evolved, it is likely to become one of the powerhouses of Ash's team and will still likely be used for long-distance searching. With it's bigger size and strength, as soon as it evolved, it learned the move Close Combat, which will be helpful for many close flying battles.

Torterra is the Grass type Pokémon of Ash's Team. After being used in a gym battle against Volkner, which got postponed, Ash's Grotle evolved during a battle with Team Rocket. With its new size and strengths, it now knows more powerful moves such as Leaf Storm in addition to the moves Energy Ball, Rock Climb & Synthesis. With these attacks at its disposal, it is sure to be a massive tank in Ash's team.

After being knocked to the brink of fainting in a battle against Barry's Empoleon, Monferno went berserk with its Blaze Ability and unleashed its full power against Team Rocket. While protecting the Pokémon, it evolved into Infernape. Infernape has many powerful attacks at its disposal such as Flame Wheel and Flare Blitz so it's set to be the powerhouse behind Ash's team. It was later used in a battle against Flint's Infernape, but lost due to its lack of experience.

Originally captured by Dawn, Buizel has always been an incredibly strong Pokémon with an aptitude for Pokémon Battles. After Zoey saw how Ash & Dawn had Pokémon that preferred the other's vocations, a trade followed. Now, Buizel is one of Ash's powerhouses with powerful moves such as Aqua Jet at its disposal. Buizel will likely be called upon often for battles.

Ash first encountered his Gible when he met Old Lady Tatsu, a woman who was teaching an Altaria a special move for Dragon Pokémon, Draco Meteor. Ash assisted Gible in the learning of the move and Gible decided to follow Ash. It also has the habit of biting on to heads. Later on, Ash noticed Gible followed him and eventually captured it. It has many powerful attacks such as Draco Meteor, Dig and Dragon Pulse and is sure to be a powerhouse of Ash's team.

Unknown

Pokémon

Information

During its Gligar stage, Gliscor was a fairly weak Pokémon, not knowing many attacks and thus not being very strong, all due to its age. However, evolving by grabbing a Razor Fang while it was falling, it has gained a lot of strength and confidence. Even after evolving though, it still wishes to battle more and still vies for Ash's approval. With powerful attacks such as Steel Wing and X-Scissor, it is sure to become a vital member of Ash's team. During a battle with the Air Battle Master, it learned Giga Impact but decided to stay for training. But during Sinnoh League it returned back to Ash with powerful moves from its learnings. However, it was not seen after Paul's battle in the Pokémon League so it is unknown whether if it returned to McCann or went to Professor Oak's Laboratory.

In Training

Ash first met Primeape after it, as a Mankey, stole his hat. Determined to get his hat back, Ash chased Primeape and battled with it ending with a capture. Primeape was a Pokémon that went berserk easily and originally didn't follow Ash's commands. However after Ash saved it from a fall in a fighting contest, it gained respect for Ash. After the contest, Ash decided to leave it with a trainer for more training so it could become a P1 Champion. However, it is highly unlikely Ash will return for it given he is easily distracted and forgets the obvious.

Ash and Brock once saved a Charmander from death, and after saving it from its incompetent trainer, Brock decided that Ash should remain with it. Then, evolving from Charmeleon, Charizard didn't obey any orders that Ash gave and quite often used its flamethrower attack on Ash. However, after getting frozen in battle, Charizard started to respect Ash as Ash nursed it back to health. Since then it has been a vital powerhouse in Ash's team and has been used in several Gym, League and Frontier battles and has even held its own in battles against Entei and Articuno. It currently resides in the Charific Valley where it's doing some training.

When Squirtle was captured it was part of the Squirtle Squad, a terrorizing group of Squirtles that were causing havoc around Vermillion City. However after gaining respect for Ash, it joined his team and has since become an incredibly competent battler. It has won many Gym and League matches but has since returned to the Squirtle Squad to lead after the team started falling apart.

Released

After evolving from Metapod, Butterfree managed to defend Ash from a swarm of Beedrill. From this it managed to gain some power and became a vital part of Ash's team during it's tenure. It eventually left to start a family with a female Pink Butterfree.

After Pidgeotto evolved into Pidgeot, it went into battle against a flock of Spearow and Fearow that were terrorizing Pidgey and Pidgeotto in Viridian Forest. After the battle was done, Ash decided to leave it in the forest to lead the flock, but left with the promise that he would someday return for it.

Lapras was the first Pokémon that Ash captured in the Orange Islands. Originally it was found washed up on a beach but Ash & Co. managed to help nurse it back to health until it was kidnapped by Team Rocket. Ash managed to free it and captured it until they could find Lapras' family. Lapras was primarily used as the gang's transport throughout the Orange Islands but it was also used in several of the Gym battles and the final League match. Ash eventually let it go to be with it's family, but saw it again when in Johto and helped it defend a lab and the other Lapras from Team Rocket.

Traded away

Aipom originally met Ash on a mountain where it worshiped a Giant Slaking, where it stole Ash's hat. However after Ash found Aipom, they quickly befriended. Ash originally was going to give the hat to Aipom but it gave it back. For a short time Aipom followed Ash and turned up at the Grand Festival, again stealing Ash's hat. Near to the finals of the Grand Festival, Ash decided to battle Aipom and finally caught it. Apart from it's battling strengths, Aipom has shown a great aptitude for Contests and as such, was eventually traded to Dawn for her Contests and few episodes later Aipom evolved into Ambipom.

Given Away

Ash captured Beedrill while in the Bug Catching Contest just a bit shy from Goldenrod City in Johto. His capture of Beedrill made him win the contest. After the contest he decided to give the Beedrill to Casey as she loves Pokémon with yellow and black stripes, for they resemble an Electabuzz.

Unofficial

Ash met Haunter in IL023: The Tower of Terror in the Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town. It, with several other Ghost Pokémon played with Ash after he had been trapped under a chandelier. However after Ash returned to his body, Haunter agreed to join Ash's team to battle Sabrina's Psychic Pokémon. Once it got to Saffron City, it disappeared but eventually returned to battle. However it was much more interested in joking about and immobilizing Sabrina's Kadabra and thus Ash decided to leave Haunter with Sabrina.

While not Ash's per say, Larvitar was in an egg that Ash was given to take to Professor Elm, however in transit of the Egg it hatched into Larvitar. Like any Pokémon just hatched it had the personality of a child, but a tortured child through memories of what happened to its mother. It froze up whenever anyone other than Ash spoke to it or held it, which it eventually managed to get over. Not long after meeting, Ash managed to return it to its mother and stopped the Poachers from ever disturbing them again.

Befriended

Ash befriended Victini in the first "Black and White" movie. Learning of it's past and the unfortunate events that leave it trapped within the city, Ash helps heal the wounds in Victini's heart that the centuries of lonliness had inflicted. In the climax of the movie, Ash helps free Victini from unintentional harm in trying to revitalize the land with the Dragon Force, destroying the pillars that kept Victini trapped in the city, allowing the Pokemon to go wherever it's heart desired.

Victini

Pokémon

Information

Ash befriended Reshiram in the first "Black and White" movie. Learning of it's past and the unfortunate events that leave it trapped within the city, Ash helps heal the wounds in Victini's heart that the centuries of lonliness had inflicted. In the climax of the movie, Ash helps free Victini from unintentional harm in trying to revitalize the land with the Dragon Force, destroying the pillars that kept Victini trapped in the city, allowing the Pokemon to go wherever it's heart desired.

Reshiram

Pokémon

Information

Ash befriended Zekrom in the first "Black and White" movie. Learning of it's past and the unfortunate events that leave it trapped within the city, Ash helps heal the wounds in Victini's heart that the centuries of lonliness had inflicted. In the climax of the movie, Ash helps free Victini from unintentional harm in trying to revitalize the land with the Dragon Force, destroying the pillars that kept Victini trapped in the city, allowing the Pokemon to go wherever it's heart desired.

Zekrom

Pokémon

Information

Ash will befriend this Meloetta, who will have a crush on him. Whether or not he will catch it is unknown.

Origins

Design origin

Etymology

Ash's Japanese name, Satoshi, comes from Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokémon. Ash may be a shortening of Satoshi and his last name, Ketchum, may have come from the phrase "Gotta catch 'em all".

Trivia

Every time Ash battles and defeats a rival, he constantly loses to the next one in league tournaments, usually because his opponents are older, more experienced trainers with Pokémon that Ash has never seen or battled before.

Ash has had thirty Pokémon throughout the series. (Not counting evolution and the thirty extra Tauros as one) 49 including different evolutionary forms.

Since the beginning of the series, Ash's skin has gotten progressively darker, perhaps due to the constant exposure to the sun, as he and his friends that their journeys with walk almost everywhere, and are normally outside.

Ash is the only known trainer to have ever defeated Tobias' Darkrai. Sceptile was the Pokémon that he used to accomplish this.

In the Kanto region, Ash often turned his cap backwards when preparing for a battle. This habit wore off as time went on. However he was shown turning his cap backwards when he was battling Tobias, presumably because Tobias was arguably the strongest trainer he'd ever faced, being the only one who was capable of beating all six of his Pokemon using only two of his own.

Ash wearing his hat backwards in the 13th season, the first time in many seasons

Ash is said to be 10 in Best Wishes, but he was revealed to be older than 11 in the Pokémon 3rd movie short, evident that Ash has aged a bit. It was believed that Ash has been on his journey for possibly approximately three years. The answer to this age problem is currently unknown.

Ash has the ability to sense and control aura, as it was shown in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew and once again in an episode of DP Galactic Battles. Aaron 's Lucario has stated that Ash's aura is the same as Aaron's, and Ash was able to use his aura to find and save Riolu. Ash only used his aura abilities when it has something to do with either Riolu or Lucario.

This might mean that his spiritual Pokémon is/are Riolu and/or Lucario. Ironically, many fans speculate that those are the Pokémon that represent fighting spirit, much like how Ash is never willing to give up. This may also be why Azelf, the Being of Willpower, chose to bind its heart with him.

Ash is shown to be very oblivious to practically any girl who develops feelings for him. This has been pointed out numerous times in the anime specifically by his female companions. It is believed by fans that even his female companions have also developed feelings for Ash as well, though they never admit it or because he is too oblivious to realize this.

Ash is also shown to not understand the idea or concept of love between Pokémon as he claims that they like each other all the time and that he does not know what the "big deal" is.

Ash seems to catch less Pokémon when he is traveling with a new trainer.

While traveling with May he caught 6 Pokémon, and while traveling with Dawn he caught 5 and obtained Buizel by trading with Dawn.

While traveling with Misty he caught 18 Pokémon not counting Pikachu which he obtained from Professor Oak , and so far while traveling with Cilan and Iris he has caught 8 Pokémon and hatched Scraggy from an egg.

Ash has had a rival throughout his whole journey through every region but the Hoenn region.

Through the Kanto and Johto regions his rival was Gary Oak, through the Sinnoh region his rival was Paul, and in the Unova region his rival is Trip .

Ash has the most Types of any trainer in the series, having every type at least once, except for Steel, Ghost and Psychic .

Although, he did befriend a Haunter, a Ghost type in Kanto, but left it with Sabrina .

Ash is a great battler, but doesn't do well at battles relating to his or his opponent's Pokémon's gender. An example is when he used Snivy against Elesa's Emolga, which was confirmed female when her Attract immobilized Palpitoad, resulting in his defeat. Ash had forgotten that Snivy was also female, realizing his mistake only after Snivy's Attract failed to affect Emolga, again resulting in Snivy's defeat.

In the French version, Ash is called Sacha.

So far all of Ash's Fire-type Pokémon have been abandoned except for his Torkoal and Quilava.

In every region (besides Johto and Kanto) the first pokemon that Ash captures is a Flying type.